Parra in real
trouble now

The Parramatta Eels season continues to go from bad to worse after another loss this afternoon, this time to the Northern Eagles at Brookvale Oval, 19-10.

Parramatta failed to get out of first gear and did not score until the 67th minute though a try to Ben Kusto. But then it was all too late as the Eagles were already leading 13-0.

The Eagles dominated a disorganised and lazy Parramatta pack, who had no starch in their defence as has been their trademark in season gone by. Parramatta were kicking the ball far too many times and surrendering posession cheaply whereas the Eagles were using their sets of six effectively. John Hopoate was again the best player on the park while Nathan Hindmarsh and Brett Hodgson were the Eels best in a well beaten side. The Eagles tries came from Macdougall, Torrens and Miles with a field goal to Tasesa Lavea while Parramattas points came from tries to Kusto and Hindmarsh with Hodgson kicking their only goal.

With this afternoons loss, the Eels find themselves locked in a battle for the semi finals with the Northern Eagles now level on tweny points and St george, Melbourne and Canberra are one point adrift on nineteen. If Parramatta drop anymore games they face the real danger of misiing the semi finals for the first time since the NRL's inception in 1998.

The Northern Eagles on the other hand muscled up after two floggings in recent weeks at the hands of the Sharks and Cowboys repectively. The Eagles however, have a much tougher run to the finals but todays result may be the catalyst for an unlilely appearance after many tipped them to finish the season with the wooden spoon.